Device and process for the production of yarns with interlaced strands

ABSTRACT

A device for the production of yarns having interlaced strands which includes a first plate having a passage for the yarn therethrough; a second plate having a passage for the yarn therethrough aligned with the passage of the first plate and a surface in abutting relation to a surface of the first plate; and at least two curved conduits defined by recesses in at least one of the abutting surfaces of the first and second plates, such conduits communicating with the passages through the first and second plates. Means is provided to hold the yarn in a substantially constant position when traveling through the passages of the first and second plates and the curved conduits converge substantially tangentially toward such means to hold the yarn in place. When a rapidly moving fluid, e.g. air, is passed through the curved conduits the same impinges upon the yarn and interlaces the same.

Ohayon [54] DEVICE AND PROCESS FOR THE PRODUCTION OF YARNS WITH INTERLACED STRANDS [75] Inventor: Gabriel Ohayon, Lyons, France [73] Assignee: Societe Rhodiaceta, Paris, France [22] Filed: June 14, 1971 [21] Appl. No.: 152,733

[30] Foreign Application Priority Data June 15,1970 France ..702l838 52] U.S. Cl .Q ..28/1.4, 28/72.l2 [51] Int. Cl, ..D02g 1/16 [58] Field of Search...- ..28/l.4, 72.12

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,262,179 7/l966 Sparling ..28/72.l2 X 3,478,398 ll/l969 Barlow et a1. ..28/l.4

Primary Examiner-Louis K. Rimrodt Attorney-Sherman & Shalloway [57] ABSTRACT A device for the production of yarns having interlaced strands which includes a first plate having a passage for the yarn therethrough; a second plate having a passage for the yarn therethrough aligned with the passage of the first plate and a surface in abutting relation to a surface of the first plate; and at least two curved conduits defined by recesses in at least one of the abutting surfaces of the first and second plates,

such conduits communicating with the passages through the first and second plates. Means is provided to hold the yarn in a substantially constant position when traveling through the passages of the first and second plates and the curved conduits converge substantially tangentially toward such means to hold the yarn in place. When a rapidly moving fluid, e.g. air, is passed through the curved conduits the same impinges upon the yarn and interlaces the same.

13 Claims, 10 Drawing Figures PATENTED I975 SHEET 3 [IF 3 DEVICE AND PROCESS FOR THE PRODUCTION OF YARNS WITH INTERLACED STRANDS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Various processes and devices have been proposed for the production of yarns having interlaced strands. Many of these proposals consist in subjecting the yarn, under light tension, moving between two yarn guides, to the action of at least one fluid flow, particularly a jet of compressed air. Generally, such jet of compressed air or other fluid is directed in a plane that is substantially perpendicular to the direction of movement of the yarn. In this way, the jet of air when impinging upon the yarn has the effect of interlacing the strands.

Generally, in the above type of process, the yarn is passed between a nozzle and a resonance box. In a specific form of this process the fluid jet of compressed air, for example, is recovered at the outlet of the resonance box so as to make the fluid jet again act against the yarn so as to produce a further interlacement of the same. However, such a process has an additional difficulty and disadvantage associated therewith in that it is difficult to position the yarn which is subjected to the double effect of the fluid jet causing both translational and vibratory movement. Accordingly control in such case is difficult and critical to effectively carry out the interlacement of the yarn.

In another conventional process, the yarn which is to be interlaced is placed in a zone of controlled turbulence, the axes of rotation being substantially parallel to the direction of advancement of the yarn. Utilizing such zone of controlled turbulence to effect the interlacement of the yarn, the action of the fluid jet is not pinpointed and the device used in such process generally comprises a conduit for passage of the yarn into which the delivery conduit or conduit for the fluid opens, generally in a plane substantially perpendicular to the direction of advancement of the yarn. It has been found that with conduits of the above type for passage of the yarn, the yarn has a tendency to be temporarily separated from its normal path. Because of this rather definite separation of the yarn from its normal path, irregularities result and in fact a lack of interlacement occurs in some cases. While conduits of special crosssection have been proposed for the passage of the yarn in order to obviate the foregoing disadvantage, such special configurations have not been found industrially satisfactory since they add further complications to the system and therefore make the process difficult to carry out on an industrial scale.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The foregoing disadvantages of previous processes anddevices for carrying out such processes have been overcome in accordance with the present invention providing a device for the production of yarns having interlaced strands wherein the device comprises two plates defining a passage therethrough for travel of the yarn and at least two curved conduits defined by recesses in the abutting surfaces of the plates, the curved conduits being substantially perpendicular to and communicating with the passages through which the yarn travels, the curved conduits converging substantially tangentially toward the yarn. In this way, when a rapidly moving fluid is passed through the curved conduits the same impinges the yarn in a substantially tangential manner so as to interlace the same through the impingement of the rapidly moving fluid upon the moving yarn. The yarn is held in place by a suitable means and the curved conduits converge substantially tangentially toward such means. Preferably, such delivery conduits for the rapidly moving fluid have a simple geometric form, i.e., circular or other, which is easy to produce.

In accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention the device for the production of interlaced yarns comprises two plates having recesses in abutting surfaces defining two circular conduits disposed in the same plane and substantially perpendicular to the passage for the travel of the yarn, the means for holding the yarn in place constituting a solid piece serving to position the yarn at a point at which the two fluid jets meet. The curved conduits for passage of the rapidly moving fluid may be formed in one of the two plates with the other plate being substantially solid or may be formed in both plates wherein the recesses in the abutting surfaces together form the necessary curved conduits. When such recesses are formed in each of the abutting surfaces of the plates, an axial staggering of the curved conduits may be provided.

Accordingly, it is a principal object of the present invention to provide a process and device for carrying out such process for the production of yarns with interlaced strands wherein such process and device eliminates the inherent deficiencies and disadvantages of prior art proposals.

It is a further object of the prevent invention to provide such a device for the production of yarns with interlaced strands wherein the device includes at least two plates having abutting surfaces, the fluid impinging upon the yarn passing through at least two curved conduits defined by recesses in such abutting surfaces and allowing the substantially tangential impingement of the fluid upon the moving yarn.

A still further object of the present invention comprises such device for the production of yarns with interlaced strands wherein the recesses defining the curved conduits through which the rapidly moving fluid passes are in one or both of the abutting surfaces and such conduits converge substantially tangentially toward a means holding the yarn in a substantially constant position when traveling through passages within the plates.

Yet a further object of the present invention resides in such device for the production of yarns with interlaced strands wherein the means to hold the yarn in a substantially constant position as the yarn travels through the passages in the plates comprises a mechanical means or one or more auxiliary jets of fluid arriving at the points of conversion of the fluid jets through the curved conduits.

Yet a further object of the present invention resides in a process for the production of yarns with interlaced strands utilizing the above device and wherein at least two fluid jets impinge a yarn moving substantially perpendicular thereto from at least two curved conduits so arranged that the fluid jets converge substantially tangentially toward the yarn held in a substantially constant position.

Still further objects and advantages of the novel process and device of the present invention will BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The foregoing objects of the present invention and the characteristic features thereof can be clearly seen in the drawings wherein:

FIG. I is a diagrammatic view illustrating a yarn drawing system utilizing the interlacing device of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an exploded view in prospective of the interlacing device of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is an exploded view in prospective of a further embodiment of the interlacing device of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a plan view of one plate of another embodiment of the interlacing device of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a plan view of one plate of another embodiment of the interlacing device of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a plan view of one plate of another embodiment of the interlacing device of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a plan view of one plate of another embodiment of the interlacing device of the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a plan view of one plate of another embodiment of the interlacing device of the prevent invention;

FIG. 9 is a plan view of one plate of another embodiment of the interlacing device of the present invention;

FIG. 10 is a plan view of one plate of another embodiment of the interlacing device of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS FIG. 1 diagrammatically represents a drawing process wherein an interlacement device such as in accordance with the present invention is utilized. As seen in FIG. 1, a yarn 10 drawn from a spool 12 passes between a set of delivery rolls l4 and 16 and a set of draw rolls l8 and 20 on a pin 22, before passing through interlacing device 24 in which the strands of the yarn are interlaced by impingement with a rapidly moving fluid. After passing through interlacing device 24, the yarn, the strands of which have been interlaced, passes over roll 26 before being wound on a cop 28 by a device with a ring 30 and traveler 32.

A first embodiment of the interlacing device of the present invention is illustrated in FIG. 2. As seen in FIG. 2, interlacing device 24 consists of two blocks or plates, and 42, in this case parallelepipedal blocks or plates. The first or upper plate 40 is held in abutting relation to the second or lower plate 42 by means of projections or studs 44 and 46 which fit respectively into mating holes or apertures 48 and 50. As seen in FIG. 2, studs 44 and 46 project from the uppermost surface 52 of the second or lower plate 42, which surface 52 is in abutting relation to the lowermost surface 54 of the first plate or upper plate 40.

Associated with interlacing device 24 is a means for introducing a rapidly moving fluid, illustrated by inlet and delivery pipe 56. The rapidly moving fluid, preferably compressed air, is introduced through inlet pipe 56 into two branches 60 and 62 of conduits ending in two curved conduits 64 and 66, preferably of a smaller cross-section than branches 60 and 62. The

curved conduits 64 and 66 are in a plane which is substantially perpendicular to slits or passages 68 and 70 in the top and bottom plates respectively for passage of the yarn l0 therethrough. As seen in FIG. 2, passages 68 and 70 in the top and bottom plates respectively are aligned so as to provide a passage for travel of the yarn 10 through the interlacing device.

A means 72 to hold the yarn in a substantially constant position when traveling through passages 68 and 70, in the form of a solid obstacle, is positioned in such a manner that curved conduits 64 and 66 converge substantially tangentially toward such means 72. This means 72 for holding the yarn in a substantially constant position prevents the yarn from moving rearwardly in the interlacing device when the rapidly moving fluid impinges the yarn in a substantially tangential manner from curved conduits 64 and 66. This, therefore, allows for an efficient interlacing of the yarn.

As seen in FIG. 2, studs 44 and 46 are positioned in curved conduits 64 and 66 in such a manner as to obstruct the same and to prevent any recycling of the rapidly moving fluid. In the embodiments shown in FIG. 2 the supply of the rapidly moving fluid and curved conduits 64 and 66 for impinging the rapidly moving fluid on the yarn to be interlaced in a substantially tangential manner are solely in one of the two plates or blocks, in this case in the bottom or second plate 42. However, as will be represented by reference to FIG. 3, the curved conduits or grooves may be present in both blocks or plates.

Such an embodiment is illustrated in FIG. 3. The embodiment of FIG. 3 differs from that of FIG. 2 only in that the curved conduits for passage of the rapidly moving fluid and branches and inlets therefor are not located in one of the two plates but rather are present partially in both the upper or first plate 40 and bottom or second plate 42. For example, referring to FIG. 3 it is noted that the rapidly moving fluid is introduced through inlet 58' into two branches 60' and 62'. The two branches 60' and 62' end in curved conduits 64' and 66'. All other features of the lower plate 42 in FIG. 3 are identical with those in FIG. 2.

Additionally, the top or first plate 42 contains two branches 60" and 62". Again, branches 60 and 62" end in curved conduits 64" and 66". It is quite obvious by reference to FIG. 3 that a suitable embodiment falling thereunder would include the presence of the conduits in both the top and bottom plates wherein the depths of the recesses were substantially equal, i.e., the conduits for passage of the rapidly moving fluid are formed by the equally dimensioned recesses in the top and bottom plates. It should be additionally quite clear, however, that any embodiment between that of FIG. 3 and that of FIG. 2 can be utilized and the depth of the recesses in the top and bottom plates can be varied to the extent that either plate may have a substantially flat abutting surface as seen in FIG. 2.

The device illustrated in FIG. 4 is similar to that shown in FIG. 2, only the bottom or lower plate being shown in plan view. The device of FIG. 4 differs from that of FIG. 2 in that an orifice is positioned behind means 72 for holding the yarn in a substantially constant position. In accordance with the embodiment of FIG. 4 the fluid passing through curved conduits 64 and 66 escapes through orifice 80 after impinging yarn 10 located in passage 70 and positioned by means 72.

The device illustrated in FIG. 5 is still a further modification of the bottom plate of FIG. 2. In this device means 72 for holding the yarn in a substantially constant position has been eliminated and the yarn is held in position when passing through slot 70 by means of an auxiliary jet of fluid impinging the yarn from conduit 82. Accordingly the device of FIG. 5 is one in which a mechanical means for holding the yarn in a substantially constant position has been replaced with a pneumatic means, i.e., a jet of rapidly moving fluid emanating from conduit 82.

A still further embodiment is shown in FIG. 6 wherein, like the device in FIG. 5, the mechanical means 72 for holding the yarn in a substantially constant position has been replaced by a pneumatic means. Unlike the device of FIG. 5, the device of FIG. 6 is one in which two oblique conduits 84 and 86 provide a passage for rapidly moving fluid to converge at the point of meeting of the two tangential jets emanating from circular conduits 64 and 66. As seen in FIG. 6, a portion of the rapidly moving fluid passing through branches 60 and 62 will pass through the oblique conduits 84 and 86 and thus provide jets converging at the point of meeting of the tangential jets and means for retaining the yarn in a substantially constant position as it travels through passage 70 the tangential jets impinging the same.

The device illustrated in FIG. 7 comprises a further embodiment of that shown in FIG. 2. In FIG. 7, studs 44 and 46+ have been moved from curved conduits 64 and 66 and are located outside the conduits for passage of the rapidly moving fluid. Since conduits 64 and 66 are not in any way obstructed, the rapidly moving fluid entering the same divides into two opposed jets. The two opposed jets of each curved conduit will impinge the yarn tangentially and together have the effect of maintaining a substantially constant position of the yarn.

Referring to FIG. 8, it is noted that a further embodiment of the device of FIG. 2 is shown. The device of FIG. 8 is similar to that of FIG. 2 except that in addition to curved conduits 64 and 66, the interlacing device includes radial conduits 88 and 90. As seen in FIG. 8, the radial conduits 88 and 90 pass a portion of the rapidly moving fluid in curved conduits 64 and 66 in a straight line toward the yarn in a manner so as to impinge the same in a non-tangential manner. The precise positioning, configuration and cross-sectional size of radial conduits 88 and 90 depend upon the effect which is desired and can be easily chosen for any particular purpose.

While FIGS. 4, 5, 6 and 8 illustrating the presence of auxiliary conduits or passages have been described as modifications of FIG. 2, it should be quite clear that in accordance with the embodiment of FIG. 3, such auxiliary conduits or passages can be partially present in both the upper and lower plates. Accordingly the embodiments of FIGS. 4, 5, 6 and 8 are not in any way limited to that feature of FIG. 2 which illustrates the presence of the curved conduits only in the bottom plate.

Additionally, while FIGS. 2 through 8 have been set forth to illustrate the preferred employment of circular conduits to impinge the yarn tangentially with the rapidly moving fluid, it should be clear from a consideration of FIG. 9 that the conduit need not be circular in form but rather any curved shape can be utilized. As seen in FIG. 9, the rapidly moving fluid, i.e., air, is introduced through two conduits 92 and 94 opening into curved conduits 96 and 98 in the form of loops. Here again, the rapidly moving fluid entering conduits 96 and 98 impinges the yarn 10 traveling through passage 70 in a substantially tangential manner, the yarn being held in a substantially constant position by means 72.

FIG. 10 shows a still further modification of the device of FIG. 2. In FIG. 10, circular grooves 64 and 66 are staggered, although in the same plane. Accordingly as seen in FIG. 10, it is unnecessary that the curved conduits of the interlacing device be precisely aligned with each other. In the device seen in FIG. 10, the air traveling through the curved conduits still impinges the yarn in a substantially tangential manner notwithstanding the staggering of the conduits. It should be quite obvious that the interlacing device of the present invention can be prepared from any suitable material which is impervious to the rapidly moving fluid, i.e., air. For example, the interlacing device is advantageously formed of metal or plastic by casting, molding, or otherwise forming the two plates or blocks of the interlacing device.

It should additionally be quite apparent that the size and configuration of the parts of the interlacing device can be varied where desired for particular purposes. It is important, however, that the cross-section of curved conduits 64 and 66 be'smaller in relation to branches and 62 so as to accelerate the fluid and impinge the same upon the yarn at the highest possible speed.

In accordance with the process of the present invention the rapidly moving fluid is passed through the curved conduits to impinge the yarn in a substantially tangential manner so as to work against the same and interlace the yarn. As indicated previously, it is preferable in accordance with the present invention that the plane of the rapidly moving fluid be substantially perpendicular to the travel of the yarn. By impinging the fluid against the yarn in a substantially tangential manner an efficient interlacing is achieved in a manner eliminating the difficulties and disadvantages of previous processes. The process and device of the present invention will now be illustrated by reference to the following example which is presented for purposes of illustration only and is in no way to be deemed as limiting the present invention.

EXAMPLE In carrying out the process of the present invention, an interlacing device such as set forth in FIG. 2 is utilized, the device having the following characteristics:

Dimensions of plate 40 and 42: length 40 mm,

width 40 mm, height 8 8. The device of claim 7 wherein said projections from the abutting surface of one of said first and second plates are 0c of one of said first and second plates and mating apertures in the abutting surface of the other of saidubstantially rectangular, the cross-section having a height of 0.8 mm and a width of 1 mm. The external diameter of the circular conduits is 14 mm and the distance between the axes is 14.4 mm. The width of the central piece tending to hold the yarn in a substantially constant position is 0.4 mm.

Utilizing such a device, a polyhexamethylene adipamide yarn, 78 dtex/23 strands is treated under the following conditions:

Air pressure 1.7 kg/cm as measured in the delivery passage Speed of winding 300 m/min.

Yarn tension 2 g.

To measure the factor of cohesion of the yarn, a length of 1 m of the yarn is measured, vertically disposed, under a pre-tension of 0.18 g/dtex between two fixed points A and B. A hook is then introduced at a point equally distant between points A and B in the middle of the bundle formed by the elementary strands of the yarn so as to take only half of the strands. A traction force of 0.27 g/dtex is then exerted on the hook in a direction perpendicular to direction A B, such traction force tending to separate the strands engaged in the hook from the strands not so engaged. This traction force is exerted by gravimetry by means of any yarn attached by an end to the hook and then passed over a free pulley so that the yarn remains in the plane perpendicular to A B in the middle and by the other end to a weight which corresponds to the traction to be exerted. Under the effect of traction exerted on the strands engaged in the hook, the strands have a tendency to separate from the others, forming a triangle with A B, but, due to the effect of retention of pseudo knots, the base of the triangle corresponds to a straight segment C D smaller than A B. The cohesion factor can then be calculated from the difference AB CD.

By using the interlacing device of the present invention under the aforementioned conditions and the above means of calculating the cohesion factor, it is found that in accordance with the present invention a very good reproducible cohesion factor is obtained with little scatter, a very important industrial characteristic of the interlacing device and process of the present invention. In this regard, the cohesion factor is measured as 75cm with a slight scattering of values, substantially all the values being within 70 to 78 cm.

While the present invention has been described primarily with regard to the foregoing'illustration and exemplification, it should be understood that the present invention is in no way to be deemed as limited thereto, but, rather, must be construed as broadly as all or any equivalents thereof.

I claim:

1. A device for the production of a yarn having interlaced strands produced by impinging a rapidly moving fluid upon a moving yarn, including:

a. a first plate having a passage therethrough through which the yarn travels;

b. a second plate having a passage therethrough through which the yarn travels, said passage of said second plate being aligned with said passage of said first plate, said second plate having a surface in abutting relation with a surface of said first plate, at least one of the abutting surfaces having recesses therein;

0. means to hold said yarn in a substantially constant position when traveling through said passages of said first and second plates and the rapidly moving fluid impinges thereupon;

d. at least two curved conduits defined by said recesses in said at least one of said abutting surfaces of s aid first and second plates, said conduits communicating with said passages through said first and second plates and converging substantially tangentially toward said means to hold said yarn; and

e. means to supply a rapidly moving fluid to said curved conduits.

2. The device of claiml wherein said means to hold said yarn in a substantially constant position is a solid obstacle toward which said curved conduits converge.

3. The device of claim 1 wherein said means to hold said yarn in a substantially constant position isa pneumatic means adapted to supply a rapidly moving fluid in a direction substantially opposite that of said fluid impingingsaid yarn from said curved conduits.

4. The device of claim 3 wherein said pneumatic means is at least one auxiliary fluid jet.

5. The device of claim 1 wherein said at least two curved conduits are defined by recesses in only one of said abutting surfaces of said first and second plates.

6. The device of claim 1 wherein said at least two curved conduits are defined by recesses in both of said abutting surfaces of said first and second plates.

7. The device of claim 1 wherein said first and second plates are held in abutting relation by means of projections from the abutting surface of one of said first and second plates and mating apertures in the abutting surface of the other of said first and second plates.

8. The device of claim 7 wherein said projections from the abutting surface of one of said first and second plates are located in said curved conduits so as to prevent free circulation of said rapidly moving fluid in said curved conduits.

9. The device of claim 1 wherein said curved conduits are axially staggered.

10. The device of claim 1, further including auxiliary conduits for delivery of said rapidly moving fluid.

11. The device of claim 10 wherein said auxiliary conduits are radial conduits.

12. A method of interlacing a yarn by means of a rapidly moving fluid which comprises impinging the rapidly moving fluid in a plane substantially perpendicular to the passage of said yarn simultaneously from at least two curved conduits whereby said fluid while maintaining said yarn against a positioning means impinges said yarn in a substantially tangential manner.

13. The process of claim 12 wherein said rapidly moving fluid is air. 

1. A device for the production of a yarn having interlaced strands produced by impinging a rapidly moving fluid upon a moving yarn, including: a. a first plate having a passage therethrough through which the yarn travels; b. a second plate having a passage therethrough through which the yarn travels, said passage of said second plate being aligned with said passage of said first plate, said second plate having a surface in abutting relation with a surface of said first plate, at least one of the abutting surfaces having recesses therein; c. means to hold said yarn in a substantially constant position when traveling through said passages of said first and second plates and the rapidly moving fluid impinges thereupon; d. at least two curved conduits defined by said recesses in said at least one of said abutting surfaces of said first and second plates, said conduits communicating with said passages through said first and second plates and converging substantially tangentially toward said means to hold said yarn; and e. means to supply a rapidly moving fluid to said curved conduits.
 2. The device of claim 1 wherein said means to hold said yarn in a substantially constant position is a solid obstacle toward which said curved conduits converge.
 3. The device of claim 1 wherein said means to hold said yarn in a substantially constant position is a pneumatic means adapted to supply a rapidly moving fluid in a direction substantially opposite that of said fluid impinging said yarn from said curved conduits.
 4. The device of claim 3 wherein said pneumatic means is at least one auxiliary fluid jet.
 5. The device of claim 1 wherein said at least two curved conduits are defined by recesses in only one of said abutting surfaces of said first and second plates.
 6. The device of claim 1 wherein said at least two curved conduits are defined by recesses in both of said abutting surfaces of said first and second plates.
 7. The device of claim 1 wherein said first and second plates are held in abutting relation by means of projections from the abutting surface of one of said first and second plates and mating apertures in the abutting surface of the other of said first and second plates.
 8. The device of claim 7 wherein said projections from the abutting surface of one of said first and second plates are located in said curved conduits so as to prevent free circulation of said rapidly moving fluid in said curved conduits.
 9. The device of claim 1 wherein said curved conduits are axially staggered.
 10. The device of claim 1, further including auxiliary conduits for delivery of said rapidly moving fluid.
 11. The device of claim 10 wherein said auxiliary conduits are radial conduits.
 12. A method of interlacing a yarn by means of a rapidly moving fluid which comprises impinging the rapidly moving fluid in a plane substantially perpendicular to the passage of said yarn simultaneously from at least two curved conduits whereby said fluid while maintaining said yarn against a positioning means impinges said yarn in a substantially tangential manner.
 13. The process of claim 12 wherein said rapidly moving fluid is air. 